"Direct-to-consumer advertising empowers patients by increasing their awareness of diseases and available treatments. Banning this information -- even for just a couple of years -- is not in the best interest of patients and physicians," said Billy Tauzin, president and chief executive officer of PhRMA. Mr. Tauzin is a former Republican congressman from Louisiana.
Debate is under way in the Senate on legislation to grant the Food and Drug Administration more power -- and significantly more money -- for drug safety. A vote on the bill is expected this week.
Under the measure, the FDA would have the discretion to bar pharmaceutical companies from advertising new drugs directly to consumers for the product's first two years on the market.
But the pharmaceutical and television lobbies are not lying down in the face of a bill that could put a significant dent in sales. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), the industry's main trade association, is attacking the provision restricting TV ads from a patient-safety standpoint.
More at The Washington Times
Debate is under way in the Senate on legislation to grant the Food and Drug Administration more power -- and significantly more money -- for drug safety. A vote on the bill is expected this week.
Under the measure, the FDA would have the discretion to bar pharmaceutical companies from advertising new drugs directly to consumers for the product's first two years on the market.
But the pharmaceutical and television lobbies are not lying down in the face of a bill that could put a significant dent in sales. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA), the industry's main trade association, is attacking the provision restricting TV ads from a patient-safety standpoint.
More at The Washington Times
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